Switch-operating device



W. J. ETTINGEB.

SWITCH OPERATING DEVICE. APPLICATION FILED DEC. 20, 1917.

1,397,245. Patented NOV. 15, I921.

WALLACE J. ET'II'NGER, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

SWITCH-OPERATING- DEVICE.

Application filed December 20, 1917.

To all w 7mm it may concern:

Be it known that I, VVALLAGE J. ETTINGER, a citizen of the United States, residing at Chicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, have invented a certain new and useful Improvement in Switch-Operating Devices, of which the following is a full, clear, concise, and exact description, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification.

My invention relates to switch control mechanism and has for its object the pro vision of auxiliary means to operate switch units of the ordinary rotary or push button snap type. The means under consideration are of an indicating character and are productive of increased safety convenience and simplicity of control.

In one form of the invention I use a single lever controlled by a large wooden handle which controls the on or off position of an ordinary push button quick make and break switch, thus avoiding all fumbling, awkward and difficultmotion incident to the quick or hasty operation of a snap switch of this character.

In factories the use of my improved auxiliary control device presents in case of an emergency a simple method for instantly controlling a machine and preventing possible injury to the operator. All 'lost motion is avoided and a single movement of the hand, arm or other portion of the body against the projecting handle will open the circuit immediately.

The lever which I use in this particular form of the invention may be of metal, but in such event is not charged with a potential, as the lever is connected to an insulating button of the quick make and break switch.

I thus combine with the quick make and break switch the long lever control without endangering the operator or rendering him liable to come into contact with live current conducting parts. This is of particular importance in connection with the operation of switches in factories where the operators are compelled to operate them although their hands are greasy.

A further advantage is presented where these switches are operated with current consuming devices in the home when unskilled persons are usually called upon to actuate the switch mechanism.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Nov. 15, 1921.

Serial naaoaooe.

I will describe my invention more in detail by referring to the accompanying drawings,- in which Figure 1. is a front view of a switch mechanism provided with my improved auxiliary control device;

Fig. 2 is a side view thereof;

.F 3 is a fragmentary sectional view on line 3-3 of Fig. 2, and

Fig. 4 is a front view of a modified form.

Referring more particularly to Figs. 1, 2 and 3, I show a conduit box 10 provided with the customary face plate 11 which contains an ordinary'double button quick make and break switch having the two buttons 12 and 13. As the interior construction of this switch may be anything desired and as the various constructions are well understood, it is thought not necessary to illustrate the interior mechanism of this switch. These figures show the position of the buttons when the switch is in closed position.

In accordance with my inventionI protremity of the lever 14 is pivotally secured through the agency of the bolt 19 with the metal band 20, this metal band being secured to the push button 12 through the agency of the screw. 21.

The operation will be readily apparent. A movement of the handle 15 in a contraclockwise direction, referring to Fig.2, will cause the button 12 to be pressed inwardly, thereby operating the switch within the con duit box. If then the handle 15 is moved in a clockwise direction, the button 12 is again pulled into the position shown in Fig. 2, thereby operating the snap switch within the conduit box into its reverse position. The auxiliary control elements thus provided permit accurate operation of the switch by unskilled persons. The position of the handle 15 likewise indicates whether the switch is in its on or off position.

In Fig. 4 I show the invention as applied to a round snap switch'having the operating handle 22 pivotally mounted upon the same axis as the button 23 which operates the switch. A suitable ratchet wheel 24 is associated with the button 23 whereas the lever 22 is loosely mounted relatively to the button 23. A spring 25 normally moves the handle 22 against the stop 26. A pawl 27 carried by the handle 22 engages the ratchet wheel 24 to actuate the control button 23. The simple means of applying my invention to a rotary snap switch type will thus also be apparent. 7

Having thus described means for carrying out my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

' 1. In an electric switch, the combination of a push button switch adapted when operatedto remain in either open or closed position, said switch having a plurality of switch buttons, and a hand operated lever pivotally secured to the switch frame and to the outer extremity of one of the switch buttons, the handle portion extending sufficiently beyond the switch frame to be readily grasped to move the switch on or off,

and adapted to remain in its operative position, said'chandle extending vertically when the switch is'in closed position.

2. In an electric switch, the combination of a push button switch adapted when operatedto remain in either open or closed position, said switch having a pair of insulated push buttons, and a hand operated lever pivotally secured to the switch frame and to the outer extremity of one of said push buttons, the handle portion extending suffi- 'ciently beyond the switch frame to be readily grasped to move the switch on or off, and adapted to remain in its operatlveposition,

said handle extending vertically when the switch is in closed position, whereby the position of said switch is indicated to the operator both by the position ofthe handle and the position of the push buttons.

In witness whereof I hereunto subscribe my name this 24th day of October, A. D.,

V WALLACE J. n'r'rmenn. 

